Chakwera, accompanied by his running mate Richard Msowoya, thousands of MCP top officials and supporters including former party leader John Tembo, former official hosted Mama Cecilia Kadzamira presented his nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officials amidst cheering.

The MCP presidential torchbearer and his running mate arrived at the Comesa Hall in Blantyre in an open green Land rover and waved to thousands of supporters clad in MCP attire who swarmed the Chichiri Trade Fair grounds and the dual-carriage Masauko Chipembere Highway to witness the presentation ceremony.

After MEC chairperson Maxon Mbendera had presented him with a certificate of candidacy, Chakwera called for a free, fair and credible election.

“We want to see free, fair and elections delivered by the electoral commission,” said Chakwera.

“We believe that the commission will ensure the playing field will be level for all of us,” he said

“Everyone should be given a chance to do what is good for Malawi,” added Chakwera.

Chakwera also said he was delighted that there is such a massive support for his candidature and commits to accepts the outcome of the polls.

“I am very grateful to all who have come here to attend this function, for supporting my nomination,” he said.

Chakwera and Msowoya on their way to present nomination papers

Voters in the southern African nation are scheduled to go to the polls on May 20 to elect a president, members of parliament and councillors.

Mbendera assured Chakwera that MEC is geared to hold a free, fair and credible election to the satisfaction of all stakeholders

He insisted that the election campaign by candidates should be issue-based and not foul-mouthing.

Mbendera, a Malawian Supreme court justice who heads the electoral commission, said the body would next week “sit and scrutinise all the papers” to ensure that candidates had fulfilled all requirements to contest in the elections.